The 2010 Cybils Award

Summary: Every night, Little Red Chicken eagerly awaits her bedtime story, but she just can't help interrupting to save the characters from their fates. Whether it's Hansel and Gretel or Little Red Riding Hood, she jumps in with her own twist. Now, it's her turn to tell a story, but will her sleepy Papa manage to stay awake until the end? This playful tale turns the tables on a familiar bedtime routine, promising laughter and a delightful surprise for spirited young readers.

Summary: Dive into a world where poetry and fairy tales collide in a unique twist. Experience familiar stories like Sleeping Beauty anew as each poem reveals a different perspective when read in reverse. This playful and inventive collection invites readers to explore the magic of language and storytelling, challenging perceptions and sparking imagination. What secrets will be uncovered when tales are turned on their heads?

Summary: Sixth-grader Dwight is an oddball, but his origami Yoda puppet is uncannily wise. It predicts pop quizzes and saves classmates from embarrassment. Tommy, Dwight's friend, investigates how Yoda can be so insightful when Dwight seems clueless. As the puppet's reputation grows, the entire class seeks its guidance. Is it the Force, or something else? Dive into this humorous and mysterious case file to uncover the truth behind Origami Yoda's wisdom.

Summary: Best friends Gerald and Piggie find themselves inside a book, delighting in the experience of being read. But as the pages turn, they face an unexpected dilemma: what happens when the story concludes? With Gerald's cautious nature and Piggie's carefree spirit, they must navigate this new reality together. Will they find a way to keep the story going, or is the end inevitable? Join their whimsical adventure and discover the joy and mystery of being part of a book.

Summary: Eleven-year-old Olive moves into a mysterious mansion filled with eerie paintings and talking cats. When she finds antique spectacles, she can enter the paintings, uncovering a sinister world. With only the cats and a peculiar boy as allies, Olive must unravel the dark mystery threatening to consume her home. Can she save the house from the shadows before it's too late?

Summary: Roger, an eleven-year-old, grapples with the haunting death of his classmate, Yummy, a boy caught in the web of gang violence. As Roger delves into Yummy's life, he uncovers unsettling truths and questions his own moral compass. Was Yummy a victim or a villain? With his brother's gang connections looming, Roger must navigate a world where innocence and guilt blur. This gripping tale, set in 1994 Chicago, challenges readers to confront the complexities of right and wrong in a world where choices can be deadly.